Pakistan to curb movement of Chinese nationals, diplomats during SCO summit

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani authorities are seeking to curb the movements of Chinese citizens during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting next week because of a security risk from militant groups targeting them, according to three security officials and an internal security note.
The decision came after two Chinese engineers were killed in a bombing near Pakistan’s Karachi international airport on Sunday. The suicide bombing was claimed by separatist militant group, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA). 
The meeting of the SCO, which comprises nine full members, including China, India, Iran and Russia, is scheduled for Oct. 15 and 16 in Islamabad. Chinese Premier Li Qiang is expected to arrive in the city prior to the meeting.
“Orders have been received from concerned authority that Chinese move of all types including intra-city/ inter-city/ airport etc to be ceased from 14 to 17 Oct 24 in connection with SCO summit and various delegations visit,” the security alert, shared with several Pakistani security agencies and seen by Reuters, said.
Three top security officials who received the alert said it had also been conveyed to Chinese authorities.
“All concerned to make sure that Chinese are conveyed it in advance so that important moves are adjusted before that. No violations will be accepted during this period,” the alert said.
The Chinese embassy in Islamabad and Pakistan’s interior ministry did not respond to a Reuters request for comment.
The bombing was the latest in a string of attacks against Chinese nationals in Pakistan over the last four years, including a March suicide bombing that killed five Chinese engineers working on a hydropower project.
Beijing has called on Islamabad publicly to implement more stringent security measures.
BLA, the biggest of several ethnic insurgent groups that has fought the federal government for decades, targets Chinese interests — including the strategic port of Gwadar on the Arabian Sea — as it accuses Beijing of helping Islamabad exploit local resources. It has previously killed Chinese citizens and attacked China’s consulate in Karachi.
The port development is part of Beijing’s $65 billion investment in road, rail and infrastructure building under President Xi’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
The security officials said senior staff responsible for Chinese security in Karachi had been removed from service following the latest attack, which took place in a highly secure area. 
Pakistan’s interior ministry is primarily responsible for the security of Chinese nationals and their interests.
“Let’s wait two, three days, things will be clear,” Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi told a press conference in Islamabad when asked about the security lapse.
Separately, as part of SCO summit security arrangements, a foreign office letter requested diplomats and UN personnel residing in Islamabad to restrict their movements and remain confined to the Diplomatic Enclave and Red Zone areas during the conference days. 
The Diplomatic Enclave houses foreign embassies and residents of diplomats working in Pakistan and is located inside the Red Zone, home to important government buildings like the Prime Minister House, President House, National Assembly and the Supreme Court.
“In this regard, it is advised that all diplomats may consider limiting their movements during this period [Oct. 15-16], both within and outside the city,” the ministry of foreign affairs said in a notification this week. “It is further advised that activities be confined primarily to the diplomatic enclave and Red Zone areas.”
The notice said the Pakistani government had put in place “heightened” security measures for the safety of incoming dignitaries and delegates to ensure the summit’s success, urging diplomatic missions to follow daily traffic updates.
“The Ministry appreciates the understanding and cooperation of all diplomatic missions ... and looks forward to their support in ensuring the success of this [SCO] event,” it added. 
With inputs from Reuters